Williamsburg area advice sought

[Andy Hughes]

Early next May, a group of us are playing near Williamsburg.  We will be enjoying the two Mike Strantz courses, as well as Brickshire and Kiskiack Thursday through Sunday.
We will have time Wednesday afternoon for another round.  Can anyone make any suggestions?
Mattaponi Springs looks great, but it is on the other side of Richmond so I am not sure it'll work.
Similarly with Riverfront--it may be a bit too far to be workable.
Golden Horseshoe? Too pricey?
Am I missing anything I really should see?

[Dennis_Harwood]

Golden Horseshoe is worth the play if the economics work (not sure what the "entry" price is today--I played it a lot of years ago)--The par 3s are outstanding--

The PGA course at Kingsmill is fun, especially the back nine--

Ford's Colony was also a good play about 10 years ago (then 27 holes), but I heard it may have changed hands and been revised, so can not speak to current set up--

I'm a west coast guy, so those in the East probably have a lot more credibility on this area than I.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Are you sure Mattaponi is on the other side of Richmond from Williamsburg? If you want to make a drive (30 miles or so), there's Tom Doak's course in Suffolk (Riverfront).

More importantly, if you have the slightest fondness for BBQ, you absolutely must go to Pierce's Pitt BBQ.

[Bill Gayne]

I haven't been out to Mattaponi Springs yet but I've heard nothing but good. I love the Golden Horseshoe Gold course and never get tired of playing the course.

Less expensive but another good option is The Colonial.
http://www.golfcolonial.com/index.php
It's been a couple of years since I've been out there but it's a very solid golf course that isn't crowded with bargain rates. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere but worth the trip.

[Cliff Hamm]

Played the Golden Horseshoe about 4 years ago and loved it.  This was April and we got a package, staying in one of official Williamsburg's lower end places.  Quite decent, very convenient and the price was more than reasonable - end of April, no one on the course basically and it included all the golf you could play at either course.  The Green (?) course wasn't anything special and wouldn't recommend it.  Anyway, i would look into stay/play packages.

[Dan_Callahan]

Perhaps you've already booked tee times, but for what it's worth, Royal New Kent is significantly better than Stonehouse. If you have some flexibility, play Stonehouse once (there are some very good holes before you hit the housing on the back 9, and the 17th is one of the great par 3s anywhere), but spend the rest of your time at RNK.

[Andy Hughes]

Mark, yes, I gather Mattaponi Springs is northwest-ish of Williamsburg and 75 miles away.  On a normal day that wouldn't be a huge issue, especially to play a good course. But with others flying into several different airports it becomes an issue.
That is my issue with Doak's course---it was actually first on my list, but I don't think I can get it to work out.

The Colonial.  That may just be the ticket.  Bill, thanks, I will look into that course.

Dan, sage advice, and just exactly what we have planned: a round Friday at Stonehouse and 36 Saturday at RNK.  If it was just me, I'd do 36 at Stonehouse as well, but I am just the group leader and need to once in a while think about the others

Good comments on GH Gold course; I was always under the impression it was over-rated, but apparently not.